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Connect with us on Facebook
Take advantage of CTPF's social media presence to stay informed and up-to-date on important fund information.
Click here to go directly to CTPF's online registration page where you can register for e-mail updates.
CTPF online
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November E-News
Quick Look
No time to read? Here's a summary of the November E-News
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Like Your Pension? Like us on Facebook.
Take 30-seconds out of your day and "LIKE US" on Facebook. Help us share news about your fund.
 November 21, 2013, the CTPF Board of Trustees installed new and re-elected members and elected officers.
Click here to review the 2014 rates for Medicare
Part A and Part B.
Read a recap of recent news from CTPF.
Ambassador Update 
Ready to advocate for your pension?
Click here to read how....
2014 Pension Payment Schedule
Click for a listing of 2014 direct deposit and check mailing dates.
Check here for Holiday office hours and the Board of Trustees meeting schedule for 2014.
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2013-2014 Board of Trustees
November 21, 2013, the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund Board of Trustees elected officers and installed new and re-elected trustees.
2013-2014 Officers, front row, pictured from left to right: Raymond Wohl, recording secretary; Jay C. Rehak, president; Lois W. Ashford, vice president; and Mary Sharon Reilly, financial secretary.
Back row, from left to right: Carlos M. Azcoitia, Jerry Travlos,
Robert F. Bures, Tina Padilla, Bernie Eshoo, Jeffery Blackwell, and Walter E. Pilditch. Not pictured, Andrea L. Zopp.
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2013 Teacher and Administrator Trustees Elected
The number of certified candidates did not exceed the open positions in the 2013 Teacher and Administrator Trustee Elections, and the certified candidates were declared elected.
Jeffery Blackwell and Bernie Eshoo were re-elected Teacher Trustees, and Jerry Travlos was re-elected Administrator Trustee. Blackwell, Eshoo, and Travlos will serve three-year terms from November 2013 - November 2016.
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CTPF Pension Fund
Ambassador Update
A lack of State and Employer funding has drained resources from CTPF. Pension Fund Ambassadors are speaking up and reaching out to help Illinois legislators understand that pension funding is
vital, not optional. The Pension Fund Ambassador Program encourages our members to share their stories and educate lawmakers and decision makers about the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund.
2013 Ambassador Training Opportunities
CTPF is offering two additional Ambassador training sessions on December 19.
Ambassador Training
December 19
9:30-11:30 a.m. or
1:30-3:30 p.m. (attend one)
This is a hands-on training session designed to help ambassadors learn to use the tools CTPF has available for educating legislators. Training will be in the CTPF office. Click here or call Member Services 312.641.4464 to register. The same material will be covered during both sessions, please only register for one session.
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Holiday Homework: Visit Your Legislators
Many members have asked what they can do right now to help preserve their benefits and advocate for CTPF pensions. Visiting your local legislators in their home offices is a great way to advocate for your pension.
If you want to get started now, here are some ideas to help you stay informed and engaged:
1. View our recorded webinar, Pension FUNDamentals  Visit the Education and Advocacy Webpage at www.ctpf.org and view our recorded webinar, PENSION FUNDamentals. This 40 minute session offers an overview of the fund, current legislation that may impact your pension, and ways you can help protect your benefits. 2. "Like US" on Facebook
 Legislation or events that may impact your pension can happen quickly. Often times the first place we post information is on Facebook. Make sure you "like" us on Facebook to stay informed and up-to-date.
Our recent publication, Mistakes of the Past, is a good place to start. This informative sheet gives a history of funding for CTPF and illustrates the history of pension "holidays" which have caused financial devastation to our fund. 
4. Know Your Elected Representatives
CTPF is governed by Illinois law, and decisions made in Springfield impact our fund. Knowing your legislator personally is one of the best ways to help advocate for your pension. Legislators respond to their constituents.
Do you know who represents your interests in Springfield? If the answer to that question is "no" you can logon to our Legislative Action Center. The Legislative Action Center is a one-stop shop where you can find information about your elected representatives, track legislation, and e-mail legislators. When you register at the Legislative Action Center you will automatically be enrolled in our Pension Fund Ambassador Program.
Your Pension Matters: Tell Your Legislators
 Once you've learned about the issues and know who represents you in Springfield, you can make an appointment to meet with your representative or senator to introduce yourself. CTPF's education and advocacy webpage at www.ctpf.org
has other tips and documents that you can bring to a meeting, including our
Economic Impact Statement and
individual information sheets.
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2014 Retiree Health Insurance Wrap Up
The 2014 Open Enrollment period for CTPF retiree health insurance plans closed on October 31, 2013. All plan changes and rates become effective on January 1, 2014.
2014 Medicare Rates Announced
T  he Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2014 Medicare premium rates.
Part A: (Hospital Insurance) Premium
Members who have 40 quarters or more of Medicare credit receive Medicare Part A at no charge at age 65. If you do not have 40 quarters of credit, you must pay for this coverage.
The monthly Part A premium for members with
30-39 quarters of Medicare will be $234.
Individuals with less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment pay $426 monthly.
CTPF helps pay for Medicare Part A premiums by subsidizing 60% of your premium cost for 2014.
2014 Medicare Part A Costs with CTPF Subsidy
Medicare Part A with 40+ quarters = 0
Medicare Part A with 30-39 quarters = $93.60
after CTPF subsidy
Medicare Part A with 0-30 quarters = $170.40
after CTPF subsidy
Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium
The standard Medicare Part B premium will be $104.90 for 2014.
CTPF helps pay for Part B premiums by subsidizing 60% of your premium cost.
Standard Medicare Part B cost = $41.96 after CTPF subsidy
Medicare Premiums for Higher-Income Individuals
The Social Security Administration requires that individuals with higher incomes pay an income related adjustment amount (IRMAA) in addition to their standard Medicare premiums. These IRMAA premiums apply to Part B as well as prescription coverage. CTPF does not subsidize any part of the IRMAA premium. IRMAA adjustments are applied to individuals whose adjusted gross income was higher than $85,000 in 2012 and to couples whose income was $170,000 or more.
Click here for a chart which illustrates what your premium will be if you must pay an IRMAA adjustment.
Questions
If you have additional questions about how CTPF subsidizes insurance premiums, review the CTPF 2014 Health Insurance Handbook and Open Enrollment Guide available at www.ctpf.org.
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 Board of Trustees Meetings
December 2013 Board Meeting
The CTPF Board of Trustees meeting tentatively scheduled for December 12, 2013, has been cancelled.
2014 Schedule
During the November 21, 2013, Board of Trustees meeting, the Board established its meeting schedule for 2014.
CTPF 2014 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SCHEDULE
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014 (tentative)
All meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. in the CTPF office. Please confirm meeting times/dates at www.ctpf.org.
Webinar Attracts Online Crowds 
More than 200 CTPF members signed up for the State of the Fund webinar on November 19, 2013. The webinar offered an overview of the fund and health Insurance benfits and reviewed the current legislative climate in Springfield. The program ended with a live question and answer session with Kevin B. Huber, executive director, and Mary Cavallaro, senior director of benefits. Watch your e-mail for upcoming webinars in 2014.
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Legislative Update
 The 98th General Assembly adjourned on May 31, 2013, without taking action on pension "reform." Governor Quinn established a 10-member committee charged with developing a comprehensive pension reform bill for the State of Illinois pension funds. (CTPF is not a State of Illinois fund). State Pension Funds Legislators are currently preparing to return to Springfield in early December. They could enact pension "reform" legislation during this session. CTPF is carefully monitoring events in Springfield. Any agreement reached could be used as a model for our fund and others. CTPF will update members as issues or legislation develops. CTPF's Role The Illinois legislature determines the laws and rules that govern our fund. The CTPF Board of Trustees administers the law and protects the Fund's finances to ensure retirement security for all members.
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Find it First on Facebook
The first place we post breaking news is on Facebook.
Click the Facebook icon
Then "Like" Us
and follow our posts, share them with others...
Your pension matters, share the message.
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Share Your News
Has your letter to the editor been published?
Have you been asked to comment in a story about your pension that has appeared in a local paper?
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Planning to Visit? Plan ahead...
If you are planning a visit to CTPF to meet with a Member Services Counselor, it's always a good idea to schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments with Member Services counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but wait times will vary and may be lengthy during busy periods. Walk-in visitors cannot be accommodated after 3:00 p.m.
If you do not schedule an appointment in advance, arrive after 3:00 p.m., or need questions answered related to your specific retirement situation, you may need to return for a follow-up appointment.
Call 312.641.4464 to schedule an appointment.
CTPF is located at 203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
Parking and Transit Information
The 203 North LaSalle building has a self-park garage. Garage entries are located on Lake Street between LaSalle Street and Clark Street and on Clark Street between Wacker Drive and Lake Street (look for self-park signs at entrances). Reduced parking vouchers, available from the CTPF office, can be bought for $18, (check only, no cash).
The 203 North LaSalle building has direct access to the CTA. The CTA's blue, green, brown, pink, purple, and orange lines all stop at Clark and Lake. Follow the signs to the 203 North LaSalle building when you exit the train.
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CALENDAR
Trustee meetings, held in the CTPF office, are open to the public.
Please confirm meeting times/dates at www.ctpf.org.
28-29
Thanksgiving holiday, office closed December
12
Board of Trustees Meeting tentatively scheduled for December 12, 2013 has been cancelled.
19
9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Ambassador training. Hands-on training session designed to help ambassadors learn to use the tools CTPF has available for educating legislators. Training will be in the CTPF office. Click here or call Member Services 312.641.4464 to register. 25
Christmas holiday, office closed
January
1
New Year's Day holiday, office closed
16
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, office closed
February
12
Lincoln's Birthday, office closed
17
President's Day, office closed
20
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
March
3
Casimir Pulaski Day, office closed
20
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
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CTPF MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, protect, and enhance the present and future economic well being of members, pensioners and beneficiaries through efficient and effective management of benefit programs, investment practices and customer service, and to commit to earning and keeping the respect and trust of the participants through quality service and by protecting retirement benefits, in compliance with applicable laws and standards.
CTPF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lois W. Ashford, vice president
Mary Sharon Reilly, financial secretary
Raymond Wohl, recording secretary
Carlos M. Azcoitia
Robert F. Bures
Jeffery Blackwell
Bernie Eshoo
Tina Padilla
Walter E. Pilditch
Jerry Travlos
Andrea L. Zopp
Kevin B. Huber, executive director
Office/Mailing Information
Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
312.641.4464 p.
312.641.7185 f.
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